Key container



April 30, 1935.. G. A. GOESSLING KEY CONTAINER Filed March 24, 1951 IN I/EN 7'02 llll I ."ll

Patented Apr. 30, 1935 UNITED STATES.

rarest creme Application March 24,

2 Claims.

My invention relates to key containers and more particularly to key containers which permit the keys included therein to be quickly and easily moved into a position to allow the shank of the key to be fitted into the lock for which it is made.

Heretofore, although key containers and key holders of various shapes and sizes have been provided, all of the devices of this type as heretofore used were impractical in that after keys had been placed in the container so as to be protected from accidental damage to protect the lining of the pocket of the user of the keys from being torn by any sharp edges on the keys, it was exceedingly dimcult to movethe keys to bring the shank into position for use. In some instances notches had been provided in the side walls of the container to allow the shank of the key to be grasped and pulled therefrom. However, this and other expedients resorted to were unsuccessful because the finger nails of the user of the key were often torn and it was difficult to remove the keys from the container in the dark.

The object of my invention is to provide a key container in which the keys included therein will be protected from being damaged and will be prevented from damaging the pocket lining, but which in use will allow the shank of the keys to be withdrawn therefrom quickly and easily.

One embodiment of my invention is shown in the accompanying drawing wherein similar characters are used to designate similar parts: Fig. 1 is a plan View of the container and its included keys and Fig. 2 is a section along the lines 2-'.? in Fig. 1.

Referring to the figures the embodiment of my device shown therein comprises a casing A having a pair of substantially parallel walls B which are, preferably, substantially flat and generally rectangular in shape, as shown, but which may be made in a number of different shapes without deviating from. the spirit of my invention. Both of the walls 3 may be formed of a single piece of material bent as indicated at C in Fig. 2. Extending between the walls B at one end thereof are a pair of pins E which preferably have enlarged heads F to engage the outer surfaces of the walls B and which may be formed of two parts threaded one within the other. The heads F are preferably knurled as shown so that the pins may be easily unscrewed and removed when it is desired to remove or replace a key from or in the container. The pins E are arranged to extend through the holes G in the heads of keys H included in the container whereby the keys are pivotally mounted therein and the shanks of the 1931, Serial No. 524,920

keys may be extended therefrom when a key is to be used, as set forth below. The pins are preferably spaced apart a distance sufficient to allow two keys to be mounted side by side in the casing, as shown in Fig. 1. Likewise, the walls B, are preferably, spaced apart a sufficient distance and the pins E are of such length that a plurality of keys may be mounted on each pin, as shown in Fig. 2. In order that the keys will be under sufficient tension to prevent them from accidentally swinging out of the container I prefer that resilient washers K be positioned between a key and the walls B and between adjacent keys on a pin. The sides of the casing A are left open so that the shanks of the keys may be swung outwardly.

Each of the walls B has a recess J therein positioned to register with the recess in the other wall B and the recesses extend inwardly from the end of the casing at which the pins E are mounted and between the pins to expose the adjacent portions of the shanks of the keys, all as shown in the figures. Usually the holes passing through the heads of keys are ofiset from the center of the head toward the upper end of the key, in the manner shown in the figures, so that the side portions of the head form an eccentric when a pin is passed through the opening in the key.

Therefore, it may be readily seen that when keys are mounted in a container similar to the one described herein and when the sides of the container are left open pressure exerted upon the side portions of the heads of the keys by inserting a finger into the recesses J will automatically move the shanks of the keys in the container into extended position as shown in Fig. 1, from which position the desired key may be selected and used in a lock. After use the shanks of the keys are swung back into the container and are ready to again be extended, as described above.

I do not intend to limit myself to the exact details of form, shape and arrangement of parts embodied in form shown and described herein because these and other features may be changed within wide limits without departing from the spirit of my invention as included in the claims set forth below.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A key container of the class described comprising a U-shaped casing formed of a single piece of material and adapted to contain a plurality of keys, a pair of pins extending through said casing at the end thereof opposite the end at which the walls of said casing have integral connection and through the openings in the heads of keys contained in said casing, and said casing having a recess extending inwardly from the end thereof between said pins whereby a portion of the heads of said keys will be exposed in said recess.

2. A key container of the class described comprising a U-shaped casing having a pair of substantially parallel walls of substantially rectangular shape and arranged to contain a plurality of keys, a pair of pins extending between said walls at the open end of said casing opposite the end at 

